THE  LIBRARY 
OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


The 
Rock-a-bye  Book 

And  a  Bag  of  Dreams 

o      J 


CHILDREN'S    LYRICS    EY 
WILLIAM  SINCLAIR  LORD 


New  York    Chicago    Toronto 

Fleming    H.    Reve//    Company 

London       and       Edinburgh 


Copyright,  1905,  by 
FLEMING  H.  REVELL  COMPANY 


New  York:  158  Fifth  Avenue 
Chicago:  80  Wabash  Avenue 
Toronto:  27  Richmond  Street,  W. 
London:  ai  Paternoster  Square 
Edinburgh:  100  Princes  Street 


PS 


CONTENTS 

A  LITTLE  CHILD    ......       I 

IN  DREAMLAND       ......       2 

SPANISH  LULLABY  ......       3 

SWINGING  TO  DREAMLAND         ....       4 

MOTHER,  MOON,  AND  STARS    ....        5 

HEIGH-HO!  My  LADDIE,  O !  ...       6 

THE  SAND-MAN      ......        7 

RHYME  OF  THE  COVERLET         ....       8 

Ticic-TocK  LULLABY       .....       9 

SWINGING  SONG      .          .          .          .          .  1 1 

THE  WIND'S  SONG  TO  A  BABE  .         .  13 

THE  WIND'S  SONG  TO  A  CHILD         .         .  14 

THE  WIND'S  SONG  TO  A  YOUTH  .  .  .16 
LITTLE  TWO-YEARS-OLD  .  .  .  -17 
THREE  .  .  .  .  .  .  19 

A  FOUR-YEAR-OLD 21 

DREAM  AND  SNOWFLAKE  .          .          .  23 

THE  SONG  OF  THE  CLOCK         .          .          .          .24 

SLEEP  ........     25 

LITTLE  MOTHER-TWO-TIMES  .         .         .         .26 

v 


Contents 

THE  NAUGHTY  BOY        .         .         .         .          .28 

WHEN  IT  RAINS     .          .         .         .         .          .29 

ROWLAND'S  VIEW  .          .         .         .         .          -31 

WAITING  FOR  SNOW         .         .          .         .          -32 

THE  Box  OF  SAND  .          .          .          .          -33 

CHRISTMAS  is  COMING     .          .          .          .          -35 

STUMBLE  JOE  .          .          .          .          .          -37 

NAUTICAL  NED       ......     39 

MY  RIVAL    .......     41 

GRANDMOTHER'S  SWEETHEART  .         .          -43 

MOTHER  GOOSE     .          .          .          .          .          -45 

SUPPOSE        .......     47 

THE  PENNY  .......     49 

THANKSGIVING        .          .         .         .         .  5 1 

JINGLE  AND  JANGLE  .         .         .          .         -53 


VI 


INDEX  TO  FIRST  LINES 

A  four-year-old's  a  baby  .  .          .21 

A  hammock  gently  swinging  .  .  .  .11 
A  little  child — so  all  have  been  ...  I 
Christmas  is  coming  !  Oh,  my  !  Oh,  my  !  .  35 
Come,  little  girl,  put  by  your  things  .  .  7 

Dear  little  boy,  my  little  boy  .          .         .  23 

Grandmother's  sweetheart,  here  is  a  line  .  .  43 
Heigh-ho  !  my  laddie,  O !  .  .  .  .6 
Her  heart  was  all  mine  until  he  came  along  .  41 
Hurrah  for  the  lad  .  .  .  .  14 

Hush-a-by,  baby,  close  thine  eyes  ...  2 
I  dipped  my  wing  in  the  green-gray  sea  .  1 3 

"  If  I   have  a  penny,  pray,  what  do  I  do  with 

it?"      .          .  .  .49 

I  fill  the  sails  of  wonderful  boats  .  .  .16 
I  sing  of  a  toddling  mariner  chap  .  .  -39 
Jingle  and  jangle  are  two  little  bells  .  .  -53 
Just  back  of  the  house,  right  under  a  tree  .  33 

Little  Mother- Two-Times,  here's  a  song  for  you,  26 
Little  Two- Years-Old,  my  son  .  .  17 

vii 


Index  to  First  Lines 


Look  out,  little  boy  !  Wherever  you  go  .  -37 
Once  I  was  naughty — ran  away  .  .  .28 
One!  Two!  Three!  .  .  .  .19 

Pretty,  my  Pedro,  a  bird  of  the  sea  ...  3 
Rockaby,  rockaby  .  .  .  .  .8 

Sleep  is  the  mystic  river  no  mortal  eye  hath  seen,  25 
Suppose  you  were  reading  some  wonderful  tome,  47 
Swing,  baby,  swing  to  Dreamland  ...  4 
The  moon  is  bending  o'er  the  sea  ...  5 
There's  a  book  we  all  know  and  can  quote  by 

the  page         ......     45 

There's  a  little  tired  shoe  and  a  little  mussed 

frock     .......       9 

"  Tick-tock  !  tick-lock !  "        .         .         .         .24 

"  To-morrow  will  be  snow,  mamma  "  .  32 

Up-stairs  in  his  trundle  bed  sleeps  a  child  .  -51 
When  I  see  other  children  swing  .  .  31 

When  it  rains  it  seems  as  though  .  .  .29 


Vlll 


A 


A    LITTLE   CHILD 

LITTLE  child— so  all  have  been, 
So  all  must  be,  who  enter  in 
The   home   below,   the   home  on 

high. 

The  glory  of  the  earth  and  sky 
Such  innocence  alone  can  win. 


So  Christ  was  born,  the  least  in  sin, 
And  brought  into  this  fret  and  din 
With  power  alone  to  feebly  cry  — 
A  little  child. 

Thus  does  the  life  of  each  begin 
Making  the  world  to  Heaven  akin. 

Though  age  shall  come  and  dim 

the  eye, 

Though  fortune  favour  or  defy  ; 
He's  but  a  traveller  at  our  inn  — 
A  little  child. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


IN    DREAMLAND 

HUSH-ArBY,  baby,  close  thine  eyes, 
Mother  will  sing  sweet  lullabies ; 
Softly  the  cradle  will  be  rocked 
Till  pretty  eyelids  sleep  as  locked, 
And  you  are  away  in  Dreamland, 
In  Dreamland. 

Hush-a-by,  little  one,  daylight  dies 
While  I  am  singing  lullabies. 
Where  does  it  vanish,  baby  dear  ? 
Into  that  land  so  far,  so  near, 
The  land  of  sleep,  called  Dreamland, 
Called  Dreamland. 

Hush-a-by,  babe.     What  dims  mine  eyes 
While  I  am  singing  lullabies  ? 
What  if  the  darkness  knew  no  day  ! 
What  if  my  darling  stayed  alway, 
To  evermore  dwell  in  Dreamland, 
In  Dreamland  1 


Spanish    Lullaby 


SPANISH   LULLABY 

(A.  D.  1493) 

PRETTY,  my  Pedro,  a  bird  of  the  sea 
Long  ago  brought  a  sweet  message 
to  me 

The  waters  are  ever  repeating : 
"Sweetheart,"  they're  saying,  "a  beautiful 

land 

Westward  is  waiting  a  queen  to  command ; 
From  thither  your  lover  sends  greeting ! " 

Pretty,  my  Pedro,  your  father  unfurled 
Sail  with  Columbus  to  find  a  new  world 

Afar  where  the  sunset  is  glowing. 
Then  I  was  fearful  the  future  to  scan ; 
Now  I  am  hopeful  with  you,  little  man, 

And  visions  of  promise  are  growing. 

Pretty,  my  Pedro,  your  sails,  too,  are  set : 
Sleep,  the  Good  Master,  will  guide  you,  my 

pet, 

To  realms  of  beautiful  splendour. 
Sure  as  your  waking  his  coming  will  be, 
Father  to  you,  sweet,  and  husband  to  me, 
And  lover  so  true  and  so  tender. 
3 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


SWINGING  TO  DREAMLAND 


S 


WING,  baby,  swing  to  Dreamland ; 

There,  sweet,  in  slumber  go ; 
My  song  will  blend  in  seem  land 

With  songs  the  angels  know ; 
Thy  hammock  will  be  golden 

And  like  the  crescent  moon, 
And  in  its  hollow  holden 

Thou  wilt  be  sailing  soon. 

Go  swinging,  swaying,  swinging, 

High  up  among  the  stars ; 
At  mother's  wish  upspringing 

Shall  sleep  let  down  the  bars ; 
Although  thy  hammock  golden 

Is  like  the  crescent  moon, 
Thou  wilt,  in  my  arms  holden, 

Wake  bright  and  laughing  soon. 


Mother,  Moon,  and  Stars 


MOTHER,  MOON,  AND  STARS 


T 


HE  moon  is  bending  o'er  the  sea, 
As  I,  my  babe,  bend  over  thee ; 
She  rocks  it  gently  to  and  fro, 
As  I  now  rock  you — so,  and  so ; 
The  wind,  her  breath,  sings  softly,  "  Dear, 
Sleep  sweetly,  now,  for  I  am  near." 


The  stars  look  down  upon  the  lea, 
As  I,  my  babe,  look  down  on  thee ; 
The  earth's  at  rest ;  they  vigils  keep, 
As  I  watch  o'er  thy  peaceful  sleep, 
And  through  the  silence  I  can  hear, 
"  Sleep  sweetly  now,  for  we  are  near." 


Rock-a-bye  Book 


HEIGH-HO!  MY  LADDIE,  O! 

HEIGH-HO  !  my  laddie,  O ! 
'Tis  bedtime  now  for  dearie ; 
By-lo !  away  we  go 

To  rest  the  limbs  so  weary. 
At  last  my  boy  grows  tired  of  play 
That  fills  with  joy  the  livelong  day, 
And  welcomes  night  when  shadows  gray 
From  the  underworld  come  stealing. 

Heigh-ho !  my  laddie,  O ! 

The  stars  a  watch  are  keeping ; 
By-lo !  they're  shining  so 

To  guard  my  boy  while  sleeping. 
And  soon,  relit,  the  world  all  new, 
With  skies  to  match  your  eyes  of  blue, 
Another  day  will  dawn  for  you, 
Every  hour  new  joys  revealing. 


'The   Sand-Man 


c 


THE  SAND-MAN 

OME,  little  girl,  put  by  your  things, 
The  sand-man  comes  this  way, 
He'll  soon  pass  by 
And  you  and  I 
Will  feel  the  spell  he  brings 

And  say : 
Sleep  till  break  of  day. 

Dolly  is  sleepy  :  watch  her  head : 
The  sand-man's  on  the  way. 
She  cannot  sigh 
Nor  close  her  eye, 
She  gives  a  nod  instead 

To  say : 
Sleep  till  break  of  day. 

Ah,  there  he  goes !    I  caught  him  then 
As  he  came  down  this  way. 
By  yawn  and  sigh 
And  sleepy  eye 
I'd  know  his  face  again 

And  say : 
Sleep  till  break  of  day. 

7 


Rock-a-bye  Book 


RHYME  OF  THE  COVERLET 


R 


OCKABY,  rockaby, 

Winter's  in  town  — 
Cover  the  baby  up  warm. 
Under  a  drift  of  white  wool  soft  as 

down 
"What  will  he  know  of  the  storm? 


Rockaby,  rockaby, 

Springtime  is  near. 
When  baby  goeth  to  sleep 

Under  this  blossomy  coverlet,  dear, 
Let  not  a  chill  wind  creep. 

Rockaby,  rockaby, 

Summer  unbars  — 
Cover  the  baby  aright. 

Under  a  canopy  sprinkled  with  stars 
What  will  he  know  of  the  night  ? 

Rockaby,  rockaby, 

Autumn  is  bold  — 
Cover  him  up  like  a  king  : 

Robes  of  purple  and  cloth  of  gold  ; 
Tribute  and  service  bring. 
8 


Tick-Tock  Lullaby 


TICK-TOCK   LULLABY 


THERE'S  a  little  tired  shoe  and  a 
little  mussed  frock, 
Tick-tock,  tick-took,  tick-tock ; 
And   there  on  the  floor  lies  a  little  limp 

sock, 

Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock ; 
They're  glad,  I  am  sure,  after  going  all  day, 
To   rest   from  the  labour  and  pleasure  of 

play, 
Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock. 

How  quietly  sleep  comes — count  the  clock ! 

Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock ; 
Comes  in  at  the  door  with  never  a  knock, 

Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock, 
With  no  one  to  greet  him,  welcomest  guest ! 
He  enters  and  giveth  his  dear  ones  rest, 

Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Perhaps  he  is  near  us  while  we  rock, 

Tick-took,  tick-took,  tick-tock, 
And  soon  will  disclose  his  wonderful  stock, 

Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock, 
In  exchange  for  thy  store  of  weariness, 
His  bag  of  dreams  he  will  leave,  I  guess, 

Tick-tock,  tick-tock,  tick-tock. 


4 


Swinging   Song 


SWINGING  SONG 


A 


HAMMOCK  gently  swinging, 
A  mother  bends  above ; 

She  to  her  babe  is  singing 
With  heart  all  full  of  love. 
The  little  maiden  swaying 

Beneath  the  greenwood  tree 
Has  set  her  heart  to  saying, 
"  Love  me  as  I  love  thee." 

So  swaying,  swinging  slowly, 

Her  loved  one  to  and  fro, 
Her  heart  with  rapture  holy 
Out  to  her  babe  doth  go ; 
And  while  her  thoughts  are  straying 

Among  the  days  to  be, 
Her  heart  is  ever  saying, 
"  Love  me  as  I  love  thee." 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Another  hammock  swinging, 

A  lover  bends  above, 
He  to  his  sweetheart  singing 
With  heart  all  full  of  love ; 
The  lovely  maiden  swaying 

Beneath  the  greenwood  tree 
Has  set  his  heart  to  saying, 
"  Love  me  as  I  love  thee." 

So  swaying,  swinging  slowly 

His  loved  one  to  and  fro, 
His  heart  with  rapture  holy 

Out  to  his  love  doth  go ; 
And  while  his  thoughts  are  straying 

Among  the  days  to  be, 
His  heart  is  ever  saying, 
"  Love  me  as  I  love  thee." 


12 


The  Wind' 's  Song  to  a  Babe 


THE  WIND'S   SONG   TO  A  BABE 

I  dipped  iny  wing  in  the  green-gray  sea, 
The  drops  I  scatter  are  pearls  to  thee ; 
And    each   white   pearl   is  dream   on 

dream, 
For  each  is  a  drop  of  the  slumber  stream. 

And  over  and  over  I've  kissed  the  clover, 
And  kissed  the  dew  ;  a  world-wide  rover, 
From  mountain  and  valley  all  sweets  I  bring 
To  bless  thy  dreams  while  slumbering. 

Then  sleep  in  the  Tree-Top,  baby  mine ; 
Close  those  big  brown  eyes  of  thine. 
The  clover  bloom  and  the  dream- pearl's  spell 
I  sing,  my  love,  and  all  is  well. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


THE  WIND'S  SONG  TO  A  CHILD 


H 


URRAII  for  the  lad 
In  breeches  clad, 
And  a  blouse  like  a  sailor-man ! 
The  boy  for  me 
Is  such  as  he, — 
I  will  give  him  a  coat  of  tan  ! 


How  the  ribbons  flap 

On  his  sailor's  cap 
As  if  they  would  blow  away  ! 

His  curly  head 

Looks  well  in  bed, 
I  will  give  him  a  nap  each  day. 

He's  never  afraid 

Of  man  or  maid, — 
In  that  he  is  just  like  me. 

The  water  moans 

When  he  throws  in  stones, — 
We  are  one  when  he  smites  the  sea. 
14 


The  Wind's  Song  to  a  Child 

So  hurrah  for  the  lad 

In  breeches  clad, 
And  a  blouse  like  a  sailor  true ! 

He's  brave,  he's  free, 

He  resembles  me  — 
I  love  him  enough  for  two. 


*The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


THE  WIND'S  SONG  TO  A  YOUTH 

I  FILL  the  sails  of  wonderful  boats, 
I  hurry  them  on,  I  hurry  them  on , 
And  many  a  beautiful  banner  floats 
As  I  go  wandering  hither  and  yon ; 
The  birds  of  paradise  pour  their  throats, 
And  fill  the  air  with  ravishing  notes, 
Till  all  of  the  present  is  gone. 

The  gilded  clouds  away  in  the  west 

I  bear  along,  I  bear  along ; 
The  silver  moon  I  rock  to  rest 

And  send  the  moonlight  with  my  song  ; 
And  all  of  the  heart's  desires  the  best 
I  waft  to  thee  in  the  Tree-Top  nest 

For  all  to  youth  belong. 

O  youth,  sweet  youth,  with  wondering 

eyes, 

I  bid  you  see,  I  bid  you  see ; 
For  all  of  the  future  is  your  prize, 

And  all  good  things  may  come  to  thee  ; 
The  sunset  cloud,  the  boat  that  flies, 
The  songs  of  the  birds  of  paradise, 
All,  all  are  yours  to  be. 
16 


Little   Two-Tears-Old 


LITTLE    TWO-YEARS-OLD 


L 


ITTLE  Two- Years-Old,  my  son, 
Life  for  you  has  just  begun  ; 
Dew  is  fresh  upon  the  grass 

All  along  the  way  you  pass ; 

Every  blade  your  dear  feet  press 

Gives  a  gentle,  cool  caress. 

Violets  and  buttercups 

Chronicle  your  downs  and  ups. 

Blue  and  gold,  and  gold  and  blue, 

Seemeth  all  the  world  to  you. 

Little  Two- Years-Old,  too  soon 
You  will  know  the  heat  of  noon. 
Dust  along  your  path  will  lie, 
And  the  grass  be  sere  and  dry. 
Every  blade  will  give  a  thrust, 
Cry  and  urge,  "  You  must !  You  must 
Kose  of  flame  with  cruel  thorn 
Best  will  tell  the  sweet  pain  borne. 
Eed  and  brown,  and  brown  and  red, 
Seems  the  world  the  sun  o'erhead. 
17 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Little  Two- Years-Old,  the  light 
Softens  when  you  say  "  good-night." 
Sweet  the  journey  will  be  when 
You  are  almost  home  again. 
Every  footstep  brings  you  near 
Faces,  voices,  long  held  dear. 
Gentian  blue  and  goldenrod 
Lead  you  onward  up  to  God. 
Blue  and  gold,  and  gold  and  blue 
So  the  world  will  be  to  you. 


18 


Three 


THREE 

ONE!  Two!  Three! 
Now  where  can  the  baby  be  ? 
Only  the  briefest  while  ago 
We  went  into  ecstasies  over  his  "  crow." 
Then  he  was  creeping  about  the  floor, 
And  into  our  hearts  he  went  all  four ! 
If  then  we  had  lost  him,  what  had  we 

done 
In  the  wonderful  year  of  One ! 

One!  Two!  Three! 

What  a  kidnapper  Time  can  be ! 

He's  stolen  my  little  child  away 

That  spoke  my  name  but  yesterday. 

"  Take  all  that  I  have  of  silver  and  gold, 

And  give  me  again  little  Two-Years- 
Old"— 

Such  reward  I  had  offered  to  you,  and  to 
you, 

In  the  beautiful  year  of  Two. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


One!  Two!  Three! 

'Tis  God's  sweet  mystery ! 

Time's  not  a  thief,  but  a  bringer  of  joy, 

And  has  doubled  my  blessings  in  this 
dear  boy. 

Oh,  give  me  to  love  him,  and  do  not 
refuse, 

Kind  Fortune,  what's  needed  for  stock 
ings  and  shoes ! 

To  love  him  in  wisdom,  that  he  may  love 
me 

Long  years  that  may  follow  year  Three ! 


t 


20 


A  Four-Tear-Old 


A  FOUR-YEAR-OLD 

A  FOUR-YEAR-OLD'S  a  baby 
Whatever  you  do  or  say. 
You  may  rig  him  out  in  a  round 
about 

And  teach  him  the  time  of  day ; 
As  his  muscles  grow  he  will  bluster  and 

blow 

Till  you  think  him  an  army  of  men ; 
Until  short  of  breath  you  may  "  love  him 

to  death," 

And  declare,  "  he's  his  father  again," 
But,  whether  you  will,  he's  a  baby  still, 
Whatever  you  do  or  say. 

A  four-year-old's  a  baby, 

Whatever  you  do  or  say. 
He  may  run  and  shout  and  want  to  play  out 

In  the  yard  the  livelong  day ; 
He  may  put  on  his  hat  and  his  coat  and  all 
that 

21 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


And  button  his  shoes  with  a  hook ; 
He  may  swagger  and  strut  and  pretend  to 
be,  but, 

No  matter  how  big  he  may  look, 
He's  a  baby  still,  whether  you  will, 

Whatever  you  do  or  say. 

A  four-year-old's  a  baby, 

Whatever  you  do  or  say. 
You  may  call  him  a  man,  as  a  mother  can, 

Seventy  times  a  day ; 

If  he  cries  when  he's  hurt,  all  covered  with 
dirt 

You'll  gather  him  up  in  your  arms, 
Nor  kisses  refuse  to  cover  the  bruise 

And  quiet  his  tearful  alarms, 
For,  whether  you  will,  he's  a  baby  still, 

Whatever  you  do  or  say. 


22 


Dream  and  SnoivJJake 


DREAM  AND  SNOWFLAKE 


D 


EAR  little  boy,  my  little  boy, 

So  sleepy,  so  sleepy. 
See  the  soft  descending  snow 
Glancing,  dancing  to  and  fro 
Just  to  pleasure  thee,  I  know, 
Dear  little  boy,  ray  little  boy, 
So  sleepy,  so  sleepy. 

Dear  little  boy,  ray  little  boy, 

So  sleepy,  so  sleepy, 
Close  thine  eyes.     Dost  thou  not  see 
Visions  fair  as  fair  can  be  ? 
They  are  dreams  come  down  to  thee, 
Dear  little  boy,  my  little  boy, 

So  sleepy,  so  sleepy. 

Dear  little  boy,  my  little  boy, 

So  sleepy,  so  sleepy. 
Dreams  and  snow  flakes  downward  fly ; 
Soon,  too  soon,  they  bid  good-^e, 
Kiss  the  earth  and  mount  the  sky. 
Dear  little  boy,  my  little  boy, 

So  sleepy,  so  sleepy. 
23 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


THE  SONG  OF  THE  CLOCK 


TICK-TOOK!  tick-took!" 
Sayeth  the  clock. 
"  And  time  is  a  circle  and  knoweth 

no  end : 
With  hands  ever  busy,  with  face  ever 

bright, 

I  never  shall  fail  thee  by  day  or  by  night. 
An  arm  to  uphold  thee,  an  arm  to  defend, 
You  ever  shall  find  me  your  friend,  your 
friend." 

"  Tick-took !  tick-took ! " 

Sayeth  the  clock. 

"The  minutes  I  measure  are  not  of  a  size : 
The  glad  ones  shall  linger,  the  sad  ones 

shall  haste, 

But  never  a  moment  of  all  shall  I  waste ; 
And  ever  and  ever,  whatever  the  skies, 
Grows  shorter  the  journey  to  paradise." 
24 


Sleep 


SLEEP 

SLEEP  is  a  mystic  river  no  mortal  eye 
hath  seen, 
With  poppy  flowers  are  nodding  the 

banks  it  flows  between  ; 
It  finds  its  source  in  silence  where  stars  to 
gether  sing, 

And  down  to  weary  mortals  the  message 
hastes  to  bring. 

The  boats  upon  its  bosom,  that  float,  an  idle 

throng, 
Are  dreams  that  to  the  rainbow  or  to  the 

moon  belong ; 
They're  drifting  towards  the  harbour  outside 

the  port  of  day 
Where  morning  light  will  scatter  each  vision 

barque  away. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


LITTLE  MOTHER-TWO-TIMES 

LITTLE  Mother-Two-Times,  here's  a 
song  for  you, 
Bravest  little  woman,  sister  mine  ! 
There's  a  verse  for  Wilson,  one  for  Katha 
rine,  too, 

(My  !     I  think  a  daughter's  pretty  fine  !) 
Here  I'm  sitting  thinking  of  the  days  gone  by 
When  you  wore  a  pinafore  and  "  braids  "  ; 
How  I  used  to  tease  you,  how  you  used  to 

cry— 
Not  a  farthing  then  cared  I  for  maids. 

Little  Mother-Two-Times,  what  a  breathless 

race 
Time  is  running!   running! — where  are 

we? 
Such  a  little  while  ago  something  in  your 

face 

Changed,  and  lo !  no  longer  you   were 
free. 

26 


Little  Mother-Two-Times 

Love   then  came  and  claimed    you.     You 

were  glad  to  go. 

Ashen  skies  all  suddenly  were  blue. 
Such  a  cup  of  happiness  as  mortals  seldom 

know 
Then  began  to  pour  its  gifts  for  you. 

Little    Mother-Two-Times,   the    best,   most 

precious  gift 

Of  God,  is  that  of  motherhood  divine ; 
Clouds  of  pain  and  suffering  it  has  the  pow'r 

to  lift, 

And  oh  I  the  glory  of  it !  see  it  shine ! 
Oh,  the  little  children !  their  small  impotent 

hands, 
Their  helplessness,  their  need  of  tender 

love ! 
Yet  they  hold  us  stronger  than  the  strength 

of  iron  bands 

And  make  the  home  on  earth  like  that 
above. 


The  Rock-a-hye  Book 


THE  NAUGHTY  BOY 


O 


NCE  I  was  naughty — ran  away 

To  see  what  I  could  see ; 
It  was  a  horrid  poky  day — 
My  mother  punished  me. 


She  didn't  whip  me — wisht  she  had, 

So  hard  she  left  a  mark ! 
She  shut  me  up  for  being  bad. 

The  room  was  big  and  dark. 

It  was  so  dark  I  thought  I  saw 
Strange  creatures'  awful  eyes, 

And  I  was  scared  and  couldn't  draw 
My  breath  for  screams  and  cries. 

I  wisht  something  would  gobble  me, 

And  so  I  didn't  stir ; 
Then  I'd  be  gone,  and  mother,  she  — 

Guess  that  would  punish  her  ! 


28 


When  it  Rains 


WHEN   IT   RAINS 


WHEN  it  rains  it  seems  as  though 
The  tiresome  day  would  never 
go. 

Indoor  games  and  indoor  toys 
Are  more  for  girls  'n  they  are  for  boys. 
Not  much  fun  for  me  to  play 
In  the  house  the  livelong  day, 
Building  blocks  and  'tending  store  — 
When  it  rains  it's  such  a  bore ! 

When  it  rains,  my  mother  says, 
The  birds  enjoy  it  anyways. 
Grass  and  trees  and  all  such  things 
As  have  their  roots,  or  have  their  wings, 
Suffer  for  the  lack  of  rain  ; 
Boys,  they,  too,  can  suffer  pain ! 
I'd  enjoy  it  same  as  they 
If  outdoors  she'd  let  me  play. 
29 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


When  it  rains  she's  'fraid  I'll  get 
Shoes  and  stockings  soaking  wet. 
Like  to  take  them  off  and  go 
Paddling  round,  but  she  says,  No. 
See  the  postman  !     He  don't  care. 
Walks  in  water  everywhere  ! 
Guess  I'll  play  it's  raining  here. 
Want  a  letter,  mother,  dear  ? 


Rowland's  View 


ROWLAND'S   VIEW 


W 


HEN  I  see  other  children  swing, 

No  matter  how  they  try, 
They  never  seeni,  by  leagues  and 

leagues, 
To  swing  so  high  as  I. 


When  I  go  swinging,  'tis  so  strange  ! 

A  little  push  will  do, 
And  I  go  sailing  in  the  sky  — 

My  feet  stick  through  the  blue. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


WAITING   FOR   SNOW 

TO-MORROW      will      it      snow, 
inamma  ? 
To-morrow  will  it  snow  ?  " 
"  It  conies  from  God,  my  eager  child  ; 
Praise  Him,  we  may  not  know." 

"  And  did  it  snow  last  night,  mamma  ? 

And  did  it  snow  last  night  ?  " 
"  Whate'er  He  sends,  my  precious  one, 

Praise  Him  with  all  thy  might." 

"  To-morrow  will  it  snow,  mamma  ? 

To-morrow  will  it  snow  ?  " 
"  Full  soon  will  winter  come,  mine  own, 

And  spring  we  may  not  know." 

"  And  did  it  snow  last  night,  mamma  ? 

And  did  it  snow  last  night  ?  " 
"  And  if  it  did,  my  darling  child, 

'T would  make  thy  pathway  white." 
32 


The  Box  of  Sand 


THE  BOX   OF   SAND 

JUST  back  of  the  house,  right  under  a 
tree, 
Is  a  box  that  is  full  of  silver  sand  — 
Of  sand  that  was  washed  by  a  saltless  sea 

Till  it  rivals  the  white  of  a  woman's  hand ; 
And  out  of  that  box  of  sand  arise 

Such  wonderful  sights  as  never  before 
Were  spoken  of  lips  or  seen  of  eyes, 
And  all  within  sight  of  our  back  door. 

There's    an    old    pie-tin,   with  numberless 
holes, 

A  shovel,  a  rake  and  an  old  tin  can, 
A  block  of  wood,  and  oh,  dear  souls  ! 

In  the  midst  of  these  is  a  working  man  ; 
He  is  busily  making  pies  and  cakes 

And    digging    and   sifting  and   playing 

store, 
The  which  a  hole  in  his  stomach  makes, 

Which  he  brings  to  fill  at  our  back  door. 

33 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


And  all  of  the  little  folk  living  near 

Have  heard  of  this  wonderful  box  of  sand, 
So  full  of  treasures  their  hearts  hold  dear ; 

And  in  come  trooping  the  busy  band, 
Till  the  sands  have  forgotten  the  cruel  sea 

And  the  waves  that  lashed  the  sounding 

shore, 
For  the  flood  of  laughter,  the  bubbling  glee, 

That  ripple  and  break  by  our  back  door. 


34 


Christmas  is  Coming 


CHRISTMAS   IS   COMING 

CHRISTMAS  is  coming!     Oh,  my! 
Oh,  my! 
Look    out,  little  man,   don't  cry ! 

Don't  cry ! 

For  Santa  Glaus  loveth  a  brave  little  boy, 
And  surely  remembers  all  such  with  a  toy 
Or  a  game  or  a  book 
Or  a  long  candy  crook  — 
Never  mind  if  your  tumble  did  hurt,  don't 
cry! 

Christmas  is  coming,  and  my  little  lad 
Will  forget  every  troublesome  bump  he  has 

had! 
It  bringeth  a  balm  for  each  bruise,  and  the 

smart 

Of  the  saddest  of  griefs  for  the  time  will 
depart. 

The  joy  of  the  bells 
In  each  bosom  swells, 

For   the  goodness   of  giving  makes  every 
heart  glad. 

35 


"The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Yes,  Christmas  is  coming !     That  wonderful 
day 

The  children  delight  in  is  not  far  away. 

Then  candies  and  cookies  and  wagons  and 
sleds, 

And  juinping-jacks,  whistles,  and  dolls'  lit 
tle  beds 

Are  scattered  abroad, 
And  the  children  applaud 

Each  treasure  from  Santa  Claus'  wonderful 
sleigh. 


Stumble   Toe 


L 


OOK  out,  little  boy  !    Wherever  you 

go 

Remember    the  story   of   Stumble 
Toe. 


There  once  was  a  dear  little  child  (ah,  me  /) 
And  he  had  ten  toes  that  were  straight  as 

could  be, 

And  every  one  was  pink  and  white 
Where  mother  had  kissed  it  morning  and 

night ; 

And  each  little  toe  had  a  name  (oh,  woe  /) 
And  one  had  the  name  of  Stumble  Toe. 

Now  one  little  toe  was  called  Hippity  Hop, 
And  he'd  run  till  the  others  would  beg  him 

to  stop ; 

Another  toe  answered  to  Creepity  Creep, 
And  he  never  was  still  except  when  asleep ; 
And  so  on  was  christened  each  one  in  the 

row 
Till  you  came  to  the   awkward   Stumble 

Toe. 

37 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Oh,  he  was  as  stubborn  as  stubborn  could 

be! 

And  he  sulked  till  a  trial  and  cross  was  he. 
A  whipping  at  morning,  a  spanking  at  night, 
Were  never  enough  to  keep  Stumble  Toe 

right; 

Till  at  last  came  disaster  and  tearful  woe 
To  crown  the  behaviour  of  Stumble  Toe. 

The  best  of  good  children  (0A,  but  iffs  sad  /) 
Are  sometimes  quite  naughty,  although  not 

real  bad ; 

Their  feet  get  so  heavy  they  drag  on  the  floor 
(And  when  they  act  that  way  they  need  one 

spank  more  — 
'Tis  when  they  are  naughty,  sometimes,  don't 

you  know) 
And  they're  taken  advantage  of  by  Stumble 

Toe. 

Just  how  it  was  done  I  could  never  recall ; 

I  distinctly  remember  a  terrible  fall, 

And  a  bump  on  the  forehead,  a  bruise  on 

the  arm, 

And  my  heart  standing  still  in  fearful  alarm. 
So  look  out,  my  darling  ;  wherever  you  go 
Remember  the  story  of  Stumble  Toe. 
38 


Nautical  Ned 


NAUTICAL   NED 

I  SING  of  a  toddling  mariner  chap, 
With  wide  flowing  trousers  and  sailor's 
cap; 
His  little  warm  jacket,  with  buttons  and 

braid, 

Bespeaks  the  bold  rover  to  run  a  blockade. 
No  longer  miscall  him — when  all  has  been 

said, 

His  name  is  not  Edward,  but  Nautical  Ned ; 
A  wee  little,  free  little  fellow  is  he, 
And  yet  he's  a  regular  man  of  the  sea. 

I  question  if  ever  he  walked  a  ship's  deck, 
Or  felt  the  soft  spray  on  his  cheek  or  his 

neck; 
And    surely    those  blue  eyes  never  have 

scanned 

The  far-off  horizon  for  long-looked-for  land. 
What  odds  if  never  the  sea  he  has  crossed, 
In  a  tub  of  a  boat  been  rudely  tossed  ? 
He  tosses  the  sea  in  a  tub  of  his  own, 
While  the  waves  dash  high  and  the  women 

make  moan ! 

39 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


The  most  wonderful  cruiser  ever  afloat 

Is  the  world — she  is  truly  a  marvellous  boat ! 

And  sailing  out  on  the  sea  of  Time, 

So  tempest-tossed,  to  another  clime, 

It  is  sweet  to  think  that  such  sailors  are 

As  Nautical  Ned,  the  jolly  young  tar  ! 

With  the  great,  good  Captain,  and  such  as 

these, 
Who  cares  for  the  wind-swept  stormy  seas  ? 


40 


My  Rival 


MY  RIVAL 

HER  heart  was  all  mine  until  he 
came  along, 
My  rival,  the  hero  of  this  little 

song. 

With  so  much  against  him  I  marvel  that  he 
For  even  a  moment  can  dispossess  me. 
He  is  not  so  tall  by  some  inches  (my  height 
For  a  number  of  years  has  been  her  de- 

light), 

Has  never  the  sign  of  a  beard  on  his  chin 
And  the  hair  on  his  head  is  decidedly  thin ; 
Yet,  the  very  first  time  she  saw  him,  she 

said, 

"  The  darling,  I  love  him ! "  and  tears  for 
joy  shed. 

His  eyes  they  are  blue,  and  blue  eyes  in  a 

man 

She  detests  as  only  a  good  woman  can ; 
Regarding  his  teeth,  about  them  the  less 

said 
The  better — he  has  not  a  tooth  in  his  head ! 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


He  not  only  chews  gum  but  chews  gums, 

which  is  worse, — 

A  sin  she  abhors  as  a  positive  curse. 
My  rival  ?    I  smiled — a  ridiculous  thought ! 
And  into  her  presence  the  strange  prince 

brought, 
And  the  very  first  moment  she  saw  him  she 

said, 
"The  darling,  I  love  him! "  and  tears  for  joy 

shed. 

My  rival !  Believe  me,  I  love  him  full  well 
Or  defects  in  his  make-up  I  never  would  tell. 
The  place  he  has  taken  I  want  him  to  keep, 
Close,  close  to  her  heart ! — Hear  her  sing 

him  to  sleep ! 
And  yet,  notwithstanding,  I  want  you  to 

know 
He's  a  rival  unrivalled.     Go  search  high  and 

low 

(Don't  look  in  your  cradle  for  any  such  joy) 
And  find  if  you  can  such  a  sweet  baby  boy. 
No  wonder  the  moment  she  saw  him  she 

said, 
"  The  darling,  I  love  him  ! "  and  tears  for 

joy  shed. 

42 


Grandmother's  Sweetheart 


GRANDMOTHER'S   SWEET 
HEART 

GBANDMOTHEK'S  sweetheart,  here 
is  a  line 
She  sendeth  thee  for  a  valentine. 
Loving  thee  more  than  her  heart  can  tell 
(I  wonder  if  you  love  her  so  well  ?) 
With  every  letter  she  sends  a  kiss. 
Her  eyes  grow  dim  while  she's  writing  this, 
For,  Sweetheart  Fanny,  you  must  know 
It  raaketh  the  heart  ache  loving  so. 

Grandmother's  sweetheart  liveth  afar 
Down  by  the  bay  where  the  big  ships  are, 
And  never  a  ship  does  grandmother  see 
But  beareth  her  message  of  love  to  thee. 
The  whole  great  wonderful  fleet  of  ships 
That  lie  at  rest  in  their  quiet  slips, 
With  their  caverns  and  caves  of  space  all 

told 

The  love  that  she  bears  thee  could  not  hold. 
43 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


So,  Sweetheart  Fanny,  a  little  while 
Grandmother's  love  on  thee  will  smile ; 
Then,  drifting  out  on  an  unknown  sea, 
In  the  great  beyond  she  will  wait  for  thee. 
And  others  will  come  and  praise  your  eyes, 
And  tell  their  love  with  a  million  sighs ; 
But  never  a  one  of  them  all  will  know 
A  deeper  love  than  her  heart  can  show. 


44 


Mother  Goose 


MOTHER  GOOSE 

THERE'S  a  book  we  all  know  and 
can  quote  by  the  page, 
No  other  book  stands  in  its  place ; 
In  childhood,  in  manhood,  in  youth,  and  in 

age, 

Its  jingling  wisdom  we  trace. 
'Tis  a  book  that  we  love  (you'll  do  well  to 

confess) 

No  matter  what  others  we  use, 
And  its  title  is — what?    Now  couldn't  you 

guess  ? 
Of  course !    It  is  old  Mother  Goose. 

The  first  time  you  read  it  you  skipped  all 

the  words, 

The  pictures  alone  took  your  eye  ; 
Those  wonderful  pictures  of  beasts  and  of 

birds, 

Of  creatures  that  crawl,  walk,  or  fly ; 
You  cared  not  a  bit  for  the  wisdom  and  wit, 

Nor  detected  the  rhyming  was  loose  — 
On  the  floor  by  the  hour  you  would  silently  sit 
Enchanted  by  dear  Mother  Goose. 
45 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


There  was  Old  King  Cole,  the  merry  old 

soul, 

And  Miss  Muff et  with  curds  and  whey ; 
The  men  who  went  sailing  the  sea  in  a 

bowl, 

And  the  lady-bug  idling  away  ; 
There    was    Little    Boy    Blue,    and    Jack 

Horner  too, 

And  Miss  Flinders  who  suffered  abuse  ; 
And  the  birds  in  the  pie,  and  Cry,  Baby, 

Cry- 
They're  still  living  in  good  Mother  Goose. 


Mother  Goose  does  not  rank  very  high  in 

the  list 

Of  best  books — oh,  give  her  a  prop ! 
Come  help  me  to  maintain  her  claims — to 

insist 

That  she's  given  a  place  near  the  top. 
There  may  be  some  better  (how  many  are 

wrorse !) 

Her  maligners  will  cry  for  a  truce 
If  we  take  up  her  standard  and  stoutly  re 
hearse 

The  glories  of  good  Mother  Goose. 
46 


Suppose 


SUPPOSE 

SUPPOSE  you  were  reading  some  won 
derful  tome 
That  led  you  way  back  in  the  past, 
Till  with  feasting  and  fighting  in  Athens  or 

Rome 

You'd  forget  in  what  age  you  were  cast ; 
Suppose  while  thus  "  busy  "  you  heard  a  wee 

voice 

And  felt  a  small  hand  on  your  knee, 
Would  the  world  of  the  present  or  past  be 

your  choice 

At  the  sound  of  that  little  "take  me"? 
Oh,  come  now  !     Be  honest  !      What  would 

you  do  ? 

Yoitd  "  take  "  Tiny  Toddler  and  hug  him 
to  you. 

Suppose  you  had  been  in  the  city  all  day, 

In  the  trouble  and  turmoil  of  trade, 
Till  your  brain  was  so  weary  you  felt  the 

dismay 

Of  an  overtaxed  surface-car  jade ; 
47 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Suppose  you  were  smoking  and  taking  your 

ease, 

And  in  should  come  little  Boy  Blue 
To  "  play  horsey  "  with  papa,  and  "  wouldn't 

he  please 

To  kick  up  "  and  such  antics  go  through  ? 
Oh,  come  now  !    Be  honest !     What  would 

you  do.  ? 
You'd  prance  and  "play  horsey  "  with  little 

Boy  Blue  ! 

Suppose  you  were  thinking  of  serious  things, 

Of  questions  mortality  asks, 
Till  life,  with   the   problems  perplexing  it 

brings, 

Seemed  a  round  of  impossible  tasks  ; 
Suppose  while  thus  puzzled,  a  frown  on  your 

brow 

And  your  face  looking  solemn  and  grim, 
Little   laddie  insists  you  shall  be  a  "  bow 
wow" 

Or  sing  "  Hey,  diddle,  diddle !  "  to  him. ! 
Oh,  come  now  !     Be  honest !      What  would, 

you  do  f 

You'd    "bark"   or    recite    Mother    Goose, 
wouldn't  you  f 
48 


The  Penny 


THE  PENNY 

"  TT  F  I  have  a  penny,  pray,  what  do  I  do 

I  with  it  ?  " 

-M_   Forthwith  you'd  be  off  to  buy  some 
thing  for  you  with  it ! 
Now,  isn't  it  funny  how  each  penny  goes, 
And    stranger    than    fiction    that    nobody 

knows 
What  becomes  of  the  penny ! 

The  penny's  not  lost ;  it's  still  going  about, 
And  its  nimbleness  keeps  it  from  growing 

too  stout ; 
It  scarcely  finds   time  to  get  warm  in  a 

pocket 

Before  busy  hands  from  its  comfort  unlock  it, 
And  then  goes  the  penny. 

Now  over  the  counter,  exchanged  for  a  cake ; 
Now  into  a  box  for  the  poor  heathen's  sake ; 
Now  dropped  on  the  curb  in  exchange  for  a 

paper 

A  penny  oft  causes  a  dime's  worth  of  "  ca 
per" — 

Not  a  "  cent,"  but  a  "  penny." 
49 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


There's    money  and    money,  but  never  a 

"  cent " 

Except  by  a  cold-blooded  miser  was  spent. 
A  "  penny  "  they  call  it  who  spend  it  for 

fun — 

A  penny !  a  penny !     Now  run  for  it !  run  ! — 
Where  is  the  penny  ? 


Thanksgiving 


THANKSGIVING 

UP-STAIRS  in  his  trundle  bed  sleeps 
a  child, 
Grown  weary  with  hours  of  pleas 
ure; 
All  day  has  his  face  like  a  sunbeam  smiled 

Till  he  seemed  a  golden  treasure ; 
And   I   have   been   watching   his  winsome 

ways 

And  listening  to  his  prattle, 
While  the  joy  I  have  felt  would  crown  the 

days 
Of  a  soldier  loving  battle. 

In  his  bed  he  lies  sleeping ;  the  tireless  feet 

That  busily  nowhere  travel, 
And  the  hands,  with  a  touch  so  passing 
sweet 

They  knotty  brows  unravel, 
Are  at  rest;  and  the  voice,  like  a  silvery 
bell, 

Or  the  babble  of  brooks  allowing, 
For  the  time  is  still,  and  all  is  well, 

With  thanksgiving  heavenward  going. 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Thank  God  for  the  little  one  given  to  me ; 

For  the  child  I  would  love  so  wisely 
His  hands  should  ever  cleanly  be, 

His  feet  ever  tread  precisely, 
And  his  voice  be  raised  mankind  to  call 

To  God's  and  nature's  glory, 
Away  from  the  darkness,  dimming  all, 

To  the  light  of  ancient  story. 


Jingle  and  Jangle 


JINGLE   AND   JANGLE 

JINGLE  and  Jangle  are  two  little  bells 
That  jingle  and  jangle  all  day  ; 
And  Jingle  rings  sweet,  with  an  accent 

that  tells 

Of  lightsomeness,  promise,  and  May ; 
Sunshine  and  sugar  and  honey  and  bees, 

Rainbows  and  butterflies'  wings, 
Bird-songs  and  brook-songs  and  wide-spread 
ing  trees  — 
Qijoy  little  Jingle-bell  sings! 

Jingle  and  Jangle  are  two  little  bells 

That  jingle  and  jangle  all  day  ; 
And  Jangle  rings  harsh,  with  an  accent 

that  tells 

Of  darkness,  foreboding,  dismay  ; 
Storm-cloud  and  vinegar,  wormwood  and 

gall, 

Toads'  tongues  and  poisonous  things, 
Owlets  and   ravens,  and  dreams   that  ap 
pall— 

Of  woe  little  Jangle-bell  rings ! 
53 


The  Rock-a-bye  Book 


Yes,  Jingle  and  Jangle  are  two  little  bells 

That  jingle  and  jangle  all  day ; 
And  the  one  that  you  listen  to  strangely 
compels 

Behaviour  that's  sure  to  betray. 
So  listen  to  Jingle  and  be  a  good  boy  — 

To  Jangle,  oh,  never  give  ear, 
And  your  days  will  be  merry  and  bubble 
with  joy, 

While  sadness  will  never  come  near. 


t 


54 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
Los  Angeles 

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